What's shown in this photo could be the result of insufficient sprayer maintenance. Don’t let this be your experience!
To properly manage weed, insect, and disease pressure, sprayers should be in tip-top shape. The maintenance on your sprayer can have a direct impact on how effective your chemical program will be. Sprayer maintenance can be tedious but worth the effort!
By being prompt and thorough with maintenance, sprayer upkeep is manageable. Here is a checklist on sprayer maintenance at different stages in the spraying season.
Pre-Season
- Check all fluids.
- Grease the sprayer per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Check and adjust breakaway tensions.
- Torque lug nuts.
- Check cabin air filter service interval and replace if needed.
- Check lights and flashers.
- Inspect and clean the filters if needed.
- With the system pressurized, visually check for any leaks in the plumbing.
- Update monitors and controllers to the latest software version.
- Review monitor settings and calibrations to make sure they are correct.
- Replace worn out spray nozzles. New nozzles provide an accurate flow rate and pattern.
In-Season
Daily: Before Use
- Grease boom and other daily grease zerks.
- Check levels of engine coolant, transmission oil, and hydraulic fluid.
- Review monitor settings and calibrations to make sure they are correct.
- Visually check the spray pattern from each nozzle.
- Check spray nozzle size and droplet size spectrum for your operating parameters.
Daily: After Use
- Flush and clean the entire system. Don’t forget the agitation lines, end caps, and fence row nozzles. It's easy with ReClaim.
- Clean boom strainers and main product strainers.
- Inspect the machine for product or hydraulic leaks.
Post-Season
- With the system pressurized, visually check for plumbing leaks and wear.
- Inspect hydraulic hoses for wear or leaks. Replace worn hoses.
- Clean the sprayer tank and flush the plumbing with clean water.
- Wash the exterior of the sprayer.
- Winterize all the plumbing with RV Antifreeze. Don’t forget the agitation lines, end caps, eductor system, and fence row nozzle plumbing.
- Export field data and display configurations.
